Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Decay \De*cay"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Decaying}.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir,
to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See
{Chance}.]
To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state,
to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste
away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or
disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes
decay; hopes decay.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where
wealth accumulates and men decay. --Goldsmith.
Decayed \De*cayed"\, a.
Fallen, as to physical or social condition; affected with
decay; rotten; as, decayed vegetation or vegetables; a
decayed fortune or gentleman. -- {De*cay"ed*ness}, n.
Source : WordNet®
decayed
adj 1: deteriorated by decay or rot; "decayed teeth"
2: damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless; "rotten floor
boards"; "rotted beams"; "a decayed foundation" [syn: {rotten},
{rotted}]